I too, could once not run a mile straight through. When I decided I was going to do it a mile was my frist goal. When I reached a mile straight I stuck with that for a week or so while also doing other cardiovascular exercise, and then added another mile. I did this progressively until I reached about four miles.
I hated running for a long time. I started to enjoy when I started to be a little bit good at it: that being said when I say good, I mean for my own PR’s – actually completing the run. After training for a while I signed up for my first road race which was a 4 mile race. I ran my best time . Since then I have run a few 5k’s the 4— miler each year, and this year I set a goal and ran my first 10k. Even now I have weeks that I just don’t want to run. As soon as you get out of a routine- you lose soe of your gains. It’s important to practice mind over matter here.
Tell yourself I can, I want, I will, I do
I would not suggest going from the couch to a 5 k- unless the couch is actually not the couch, and some other physical activity that you do. Your body needs to adapt and if you gradually progress your body to be able to handle that, and you learn to regulate your breathing- everything starts to come together.Hooray for running! Set some goals for yourself, and be thrilled as you run your way to acheiving them .